Prevent a House Break In With These Home Security Hacks

There are many things you can do to improve the security of your home. Preventing a house break in can be done. The easiest and most cost effective are generally the common-sense ones.

Many of the ways to secure your home effectively include simple, obvious solutions like:

Lock All Doors & Windows Before Leaving The House

It might sound obvious but it’s surprising how many of us fail to do this. A couple of extra seconds to make sure everything is locked can make all the difference when burglars are concerned.

It is estimated that roughly 30% of burglars will gain entry to a home through an unlocked window or door. Preventing this is essential and very easy. Performing a routine check of doors and windows before you leave is vital.

It means no ease of access to your property. This is not a burglar proof method. However, it can stop your home from becoming an easy and attractive target.

Don’t Leave Keys In The Locks

As bizarre as this sounds, householders in the UK still leave their keys in their locks regularly. You are asking for a break in almost.

Whether you do it because you believe it will stop the lock from being opened, or just as a safe place for your keys, it needs to stop. By doing this you have metaphorically played the ball across for the burglar to tap into an empty net.

Opportunistic thieves will be able to smash a window and turn the keys in your lock with ease. The burglar then merely needs to waltz into your house and steal your possessions.

It may also be worth noting that if you leave your keys in the lock it may affect your insurance. Leaving the key in the lock can make it 10 times easier for someone to enter your property. Which is why you may not be insured if you do this.

Refrain From Leaving Your Valuables On Show

If you display your valuable items in obvious places you essentially allow a potential intruder the opportunity to window shop.

Once again this sounds a very obvious tip, but this still slips peoples mind. Make sure any valuable items like car keys, phones, wallets etc. are not left by windows. Ensure any potential burglar will not be tempted to chance their arm and break into your home!

Try to close all internal doors when you leave your property also. This stops any further peeking to any other valuables that may be visible in other rooms.

Advice For When You Leave Your Home For A Holiday

Leaving for a holiday can be relaxing and anxious at the same time. Everyone feels slightly nervous leaving their home unattended for a week or two.

Here are four ways you can deter potential thieves. Ensure you come back to your home the way you left it by applying these tips:

Have a neighbour park on your drive – Ask your neighbour to park on your driveway whilst you are away. If they own more than one car then ask if they would mind. This gives the impression that there is a presence in your home, generally meaning unwanted visitors will be deterred. Most thefts are opportunistic and burglars prefer an empty house.

Have a friend or family round – Whether they come round to water the plants, feed the cat or collect the post it helps. Giving the impression of regular movement will increase the security levels at your home. Thieves will perceive someone is still home.

Set up an automatic light timer – Like the other two tips, this gives the impression someone is home. Set one of these up in your hallway as an alternative, or complimentary, home security hack. The timer also shuts your light off in the daytime. So you save electricity and prevent a house break in at the same time.

Don’t announce your absence – Posting about your upcoming holiday all over social media is a big no-no. Being tagged has the same effect as through your friends the post will reach a vast amount of people. A burglar will not hesitate in taking advantage. Similarly, even talking about it in a public place is not a good idea as you never know who could be listening…

Security Devices

You can purchase items that are inexpensive, whilst adding extra security to your home. All the way from alarms to sensors, here are a few additional security options:

Sash Jammers – A basic but effective security measure, costing only £2. Being available for both doors and windows, they stop the aperture from opening. You can fit them to wooden or UPVC frames and they come with a lockable deadlock feature. This is a good way of avoiding a house break in at an affordable price. However, you need to be in the house to put the jammers in place.

Dead Bolt – With a range of deadbolts available, dead bolts are a good option at halting a house break in. From combination style dead bolts to steel bolted variations, they come in a range of materials. This allows you to match them to your decor. At a small price of £5-10 they are a more than worthy investment.

Outdoor Security Lights – With wall mounted automatic outdoor lights, often used with motion sensors, they will illuminate when people pass by the house door. This will allow you to see who is approaching the front door and to know when somebody is actually approaching. Being particularly beneficial in the shorter days it will enhance your ability to see any potential perpetrators.

Fake Burglar Alarms – A sneaky tactic to deter house break ins would be to put up a fake burglar alarm box. Available from most hardware stores from roughly £8, they create an illusion of a good home security system as a preventative measure.

Fake TV Lights – This gem of a creation creates flickering, on screen motion and colour changing light effects in your living room. It makes thieves assume that somebody is in the house watching television. Timer settings on the device allow you to use it in like you would the aforementioned automatic light timer.

Real Burglar Alarms – These are built to keep the entry points to your home secure . A series of motion detectors and sensors near your doors and windows will go off when they detect any movement into the property. All controlled by a primary control panel, they are easy to use and a highly effective deterrent in avoiding your house being broken into.

Motion Sensors

Ever watched a spy movie and seen them try to break into a building only to be halted by motion detecting lasers?

Motion sensors do the exact job, only slightly more sensitive and without the fancy light path that are reminiscent of the film genre. They detect motion in front of them. There are two kinds of motion detectors available.

The first is an active sensor, which sends ultrasonic waves into the room, picking up motion by waves bouncing off of any solid moving objects.

The second is know as a Passive Sensor. These detect a change in the energy signature in the room. They do this by comparing it to a pre-determined baseline in the room. These are mainly used in more commercial environments. You are more likely to use an active sensor to avoid a house break in.

To Conclude…

Hopefully these home hacks can help you get one step ahead of the burglars. Keeping vigilant and aware of how your home will look in the eyes of a thief can give you the best chance to avoid a house break in altogether.

The most obvious tips to improve your security, such as keeping your valuables out of sight, can have just as great an impact as investing in premium security devices.

Every time you leave your home, you expect to return to it in the state you left. Utilising the tips we have provided here will keep you one step ahead of the game. Burglars beware!

If you would like any further security in your home or are thinking of changing or updating your locks, contact Able Group today. We will send a locksmith right to your door at a convenient time for you.